laveen



IVI. LAVEEN.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 15. 1921.

1 A25, II 06. Patented Aug. 8, I922.

- /NVEN7UR MILTON LFIVBEIN H/5 HT'TURNEY BY waiwm Parent FFHLCEO nzrrxron navnmr, or cmcneo, trainers.

KNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed December 15, 1921.

machine adapted to knit stockings and similar tubular articles, made from yarn.

' My particular object is the provision of improved means for carr ing the yarn as it passes to the needles 0 the machine. A further object is correlated means for guiding the needles of the machine at the time when the yarn is first picked up by the needles.

To this end my invention consists in the combinations hereinafter fully described, and illustrated in the appended drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a hand knitting machine of the type referred to, and embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the yarn carrier, as it appears when removed from the machine.

Figs. 3 and 4 present side elevations of the carrier, and

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the yarn carrier.

The knitting machine comprises a base 1, and this base is made with a pair of brackets 2, in which a pair of thumb screws 3 are seated, and these thumb screws serve to clamp the machine to a table or other suitable support. In the base 1 is mounted a stationary needle cylinder 4, having longitudinal surface recesses 43, each of which is shaped to hold a slidable needle 5. Above the needle cylinder is detachably mounted a circular needle disc 6, in which is provided a series of radially disposed recesses 6, and these recesses are similarly shaped to hold a series of horizontally slidable needles 7 Those versed in the art will recognize in the needles 5 the instrumentalities for knitting the body of a stocking, and that the needles 7 are used for knitting the u per ridged band of a mans stocking.

ereinafter I shall only refer to these parts as the vertical and the horizontal needles. Around the cylinder 4 is seated a cam cylinder 8, and this cam cylinder is rotated Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

Serial No. 522,508.

around the cylinder by turning a hand crank 9 of a beveled gear 9, which in turn meshes wlth an annular bevel gear 10 of the oscillator, all as usually found in practice;

The yarn used for the knitting operation 1s in the first instance mounted on a detachable spool 15, and the loose end of the yarn is then passed over a tension guide 16, from whlch it descends to a carrier 17. The latter comprises a bent piece of steel having a vertlcal body portion 17, a horizontal flange 17", and a projected face 17, to which a preferably hardened steel plate 18 is affiXed. Through the face projection 17 and the said plate'extends a perforation 19 for the passage of the yarn to the needles. As the yarn carrier is secured on the bevel gear 10, as best shown in Fig. 3, it is seen that the end of the yarn, extending through said carrier, is caused to travel past the needles when the hand crank is turned. On the bevel gear 10 is provided a pair of boses 10 10*, which are positioned to engage a projection 8 of the oscillator 8 for the purpose of transmitting rotations to said oscillator.

The plate 18 takes a position close to the path of travel of the needle 5, and its position relative to the hook 5 of the needle, is conveniently adjusted by turning the clamping screw 20, whereby a resilient pad 21, of the carrier body 17*, is caused to be more or less compressed, thereby tilting the carrier more or less, and maintaining the carrier in adjusted position.

It is noticed that the plate 18 is provided with downwardly inclined bevels 18, 18", meeting in a curved apex 18. It is well known to those versed in the art that the needles are provided with a latch 22. This latch is pivotally hung on the needle, and it is the presumption of the manufacturer of the machine that this latch will always drop by its own weight, to the position shown in Fig. 3. T have observed, however, that the latch of a new needle binds sufiiciently to carry it upward in a raised position, as indicated in Fig. 4. Gradually the latch becomes worn slightly, whereupon it may operate satisfactorily until a trace of yarn settles on the latch pivot, causing it again to stick. During the normal operation of the machine nothing injurious is likely to happen, because the yarn takes a position in the path of the latch, so as to force the latter down when the needle rises, but if the machine misses a stitch, or if it is rotated empty, that is to say without yarn, and if a needle latch sticks, it is found that the latch will. project into the path of the yarn carrier. and break oifi, if the said carrier is of the construction and shape manufactured and sold with the machine, because such carrier is broad and thick and not made with any bevel at all. By examining Fig. 4 it is readily seen how the latch, ifit should happen to stick, strikes the bevel 18", wheresee Fig.2, it will. be found that the latch 7 will first pass the pointed guard end 25, and that it will either have to travel over or under .said guard. Normally the yarn will pull the latch back, but if the machine is running empty, the latch may remain closed, in which case the needle passes idly underneath the guard. Frequently the yarn breaks at the making of a stitch, with the result that the horizontal needle, at which the break occurs, jumps upward, and its hook would catch the guard and break off. This, however, cannot happen with my structure, because I have provided a step 25 in the rear end of the guard, whereby more than, and sufiicient room is provided for clearing the needle, should it so jump while passing the guard.

Machines of this type are sold with needle cylinders and discs of greater or lesser capacity, that is to say with a varying number of needle slots, some having sixty slots, some eighty or more. The adjustment of the needles and the yarn carrier varies with the number of needles used, because the reciproeating movement of the needles changes. The carrier 17, with the late 18 and the guard 25, have been careful y positioned and proportioned, substantially as shown, after much experimentation, to function properly with every kind of cylinder and dise employed, and when roperly adjusted, to suit the size cylinder esired to use. Machines of this type are designed for domestic use,

they find ready sale and are widely dise tributed. But upon inquiry, in view of my own experience, I find that they usually are.

standing in the household, to which it is justly entitled.

I claim: 1. In a knitting machine of the type referred to, the combination with a needle cylinder, of a needle oscillator mounted to rotate around said cylinder, and a yarn carrier adjustably fixed on said oscillator, said carrier having an upper perforated guide for openin the latches of the vertical needles and provi ed with a lower plate for the horizontal needles, said lower plate set back from the plane of the upperplate in order to clear the said vertical needles.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with the vertical and the horizontal needles, of a yarn carrier for rotation past the hooks of said needles, said carrier having a downwardly ointing V-shaped guide for opening the latches of the vertical needles, and a narrow plate concentric with the needle cylinder and positioned below and slightly behind the face of said guide, said plate having a pointed frontend for directing the latches of said horizontal needles either into a fully open or fully closed position, and made with a recess in the bottom of its rear end for clearing said horizontal needles when they jump due to breaking of the yarn, during their travel past said plate.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

. MILTON LAVEEN. 

